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Jets looking to add firepower

Craig Deans indicated Joel Griffiths and David Carney could be used to bring some added firepower to the Jets’ starting XI.

Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets assistant coach Craig Deans indicated new recruits Joel Griffiths and David Carney could be used to bring some added firepower to the Jets- starting XI against Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday.

The Jets enjoined sustained periods of pressure in Saturday-s 2-0 loss to Sydney FC but could not translate their dominance into goals and Deans recognised the need to be more clinical in the final third.

“We have got people in the squad who can score goals, obviously we tried not to push Joel and David Carney too early but maybe it-s time to put them in and give them the opportunity to show us what they-ve got,” Deans said.

“We can keep clean sheets but if we don-t score goals we won-t win, so our focus needs to be on being positive and scoring goals and winning games.

“We have got people who can score goals so if they-re here and fit and able to play a game then possibly we need to start them.”

The Jets enjoyed the majority of possession against Sydney FC on the weekend but two defensive lapses cost them dearly as the Sky Blues punished them through the class of Alessandro Del Piero.

“Obviously we didn-t defend as well as we did up in Brisbane, a couple of key moments we got punished, a good delivery on a corner and a person willing to attack the ball and we didn-t defend it as well as we probably could have,” Deans said.

“The difference was just the key moments, sometimes you need a bit of luck and we didn-t have it but the performance itself could have been better. “

Jets central defender Kew Jaliens returns to the side after missing the Sydney clash through suspension and Deans felt his inclusion would be a massive boost for the clash against the second placed Wanderers.

“I think going back to the Brisbane game, his experience in situations like that where it-s a tough game, you-re under pressure, you need to defend very well, obviously someone with his experience and quality is a big loss so it-ll be nice to have him back,” he said.

“It-ll add a bit of stability to the back line and as with Emile he gives confidence to everyone else around him just with the way he carries himself during a game, so he-ll come back in.”

Deans indicated Joel Griffiths was close to full match fitness and eager to make an impact after missing two games through suspension prior to the Sydney match.

“Obviously when he came in he hadn-t trained or played for two or three months so he was a fair bit behind the eight ball but I think the suspension in some ways did him a favour, he was able to work very hard on his fitness and he did that,” he said.

“He-s a winner, he-s a competitor, even at training he doesn-t like losing games. His type of character is what we want to see, we want to see people that leave no stone unturned to be a winner and we need people like that in the team.”

Former Socceroo David Carney made his debut for the Jets last week off the bench showing glimpses of his pedigree in a 20 minute showing and Deans suggested he could be another option in the front third.

“I think when he came on you saw some of his passing was something that haven-t had at all this season, so someone like him with his ability to see a pass and play a pass and he-s clever with the ball, I think he-ll be more value for us in the front third for the last seven games.”